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Book Review, Chicago Grizzlies series, Piper Rayne, Something Like Hate

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Review – Something Like Hate

26 Tuesday Sep 2023

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Something Like Hate

Chicago Grizzlies #1

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

I love him.

I loathe him.

It’s like plucking daisy petals in my head, but he’ll never know.

When Miles Cavanaugh, the best safety in the league, was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies football team last year, I could finally breathe. Temptation was miles away.

How naïve to think it would end there because when the opportunity to write for a national magazine based in Chicago lands in my lap months later, I can’t turn it down. Sure, it’s a big city, but the sexual energy feels like a beacon between us the minute my plane lands.

To make matters worse, I end up having to take over the job of reporting exclusively on the Chicago Grizzlies. Which means traveling with the team, interviewing players, and pretty much having an all-access pass to their lives during the season.

Miles and I put up a great front, quickly hating on one another, but we both know it’s a lie. We also know the rules are simple. For me, don’t sleep with the subject of your articles. For him, don’t sleep with the journalist who can make or break your career.

I thought straight-laced Miles Cavanaugh followed all the rules… oh how wrong I was.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

https://books2read.com/slhate
Audio Narrated by: Tim Paige & Stefanie Kay

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3EUnSiU

*****

Review:

I have to say I really wished they’d found some way to get Miles and Bryce a story without moving him to Chicago. I felt so bad for him, having to leave his friends (yeah, I understand the reality of the sport but this is a work of fiction), and I don’t quite feel like they gave him a connection with the new team to replace that just yet. It helps to amplify his issues, especially with Bryce’s articles, but I like him so much I just wish he’d been treated a little better 🙂

Having said that, I enjoyed this story a lot more than I thought I would. I don’t know why the way these two fight never appealed to me in the Kingsmen stories but I should have remembered that Piper Rayne writes a dang good story and I just needed to have faith. Their characters are a delight to read and the stories flow so smoothly to endings that always make me so happy.

Returning readers know that there had to be more to Miles & Bryce’s bickering so it’s satisfying to finally get our answers. And Bryce proves to be just as feisty as we knew she’d be, as well as troubled by her past. It will take a patient man to break through her barriers and luckily Miles is just the guy to do it.

With fun & spicy banter, plenty of sexy times, and moments that deliver the feels, Something Like Hate is a satisfying conclusion to an old series and a good start to a new series. I’m so looking forward to getting to know the rest of the Grizzlies!

(Can be read as a stand alone but will probably be better enjoyed having read the Kingsmen series to really get a feel for Miles & Bryce’s history.)

*****

Author Info:

Connect with Piper Rayne

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiperRaynesUnicorns

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Book Review, Lake Starlight series, Piper Rayne, The Issue with Bad Boy Romances

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Review – The Issue with Bad Boy Roommates

27 Tuesday Jun 2023

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The Issue with Bad Boy Roommates

Lake Starlight series

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

I was only looking for a roommate…

I’m the town widow.

Not the only one, but the youngest by far.

My husband died one year after our wedding, casting me as the charity case in my small Alaskan town.

Since then, everyone—including my big family—try to keep me busy as if that will stop the haunting memories from resurfacing.

Do I know it’s time to move on? Of course, but that’s easier said than done.

Then Van Adler rides into town. His bad boy vibe complete with his motorcycle and tattoos causes my body to fill with need for the first time since my husband’s death.

To make matters worse, he’s the one who answered my ad for a roommate. Sharing the close quarters of our two-bedroom apartment means I have to set some ground rules like keeping his rippled abs covered. Soon we become friends, he’s making me dinners, and we’re binge-watching television shows all night.

The more our lives intertwine, the more I start to fall for him. Leaving me wondering, can you find the love of your life twice in one lifetime?

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XePhnb
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3TWcOGC
Nook: http://bit.ly/3Xofujj
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3AwY8Hd
Google Play: http://bit.ly/3AxCnH1
Audio: https://books2read.com/tiwbbr
Narrated by: Connor Crais & Melissa Moran

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3EMIHNG

*****

Review:

I feel like this one needs a little bit of a warning. As I moved through it, I felt like I’d missed out a little by not reading a lot of Piper Rayne books. Not so much from missing the first in the Lake Starlight series but The Baileys series. This is a HUGE family and there is a lot that has happened to get to the point where this generation is finding their own HEA. It’s not required reading but I will say I felt a little confused by some of the references to how the misc parents got together. If that’s going to bother you, I’d suggest adding a few books to your TBR pile 🙂

Having said that, I did enjoy getting to know Van and Brinley. Brin has been a little stuck since her husband died four years ago. It doesn’t help that she lives in a small town so it’s hard to escape the label of “widow”. She’s not really put herself out there, but she’s definitely not been pushed. Until Van.

Van isn’t the bad boy that the title implies – he’s caring, brave, and dedicated to his job. He’s patient when Brin needs it but he’s there to help her to be more daring, to be more herself and not who she thinks she should be. His support and encouragement of her is pretty awesome.

But while I liked the two of them, there was something just a bit missing for me from what I expect in a Piper Rayne story. The characters are interesting, their romance works, and I love all the assorted side characters … I don’t know. It’s a darn good story, it’s just not spectacular and that’s the norm when I pick up one of their stories. Others seemed to have loved it so maybe it was just me … regardless, it’s definitely worth a read no matter what.

*****

Author Info:

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write “heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle” about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they’re married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they’re both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

Connect with Piper Rayne

Website: www.PiperRayne.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiperRayne/
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Review – Over My Brother’s Dead Body, Chase Andrews

04 Tuesday Apr 2023

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Book Review, Kingsmen Football Stars series, Over My Bother's Dead Body Chase Andrews, Piper Rayne

Over My Brother’s Dead Body, Chase Andrews

Kingsmen Football Stars series

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

Chase Andrews.

The Kingsmen’s top tight end.
My brother’s friend and teammate.
My new neighbor.
The grumpy to my sunshine.

But underneath that grumpy exterior, there’s so much more.

Chase likes to pretend nothing affects him, but I’ve seen glimpses of his other side in the time we’ve spent together.

And the more we get to know each other, the more I’m falling for him.

Under normal circumstances, this would be great. Except my hyper-protective big brother thinks no man is good enough for me, and my ex-fiancé is trying to win me back.

One charming, seemingly good man already broke my heart. Am I stupid to give a self-confessed relationship-adverse football player a chance to break it a second time?

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Kxel1h

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3ODf5VI

Nook: https://bit.ly/3kuhV1E

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3vrrmoJ

Google Play: https://bit.ly/39o3fP7

Audible: https://books2read.com/ombdbca
Narrators: Jason Clarke & Savannah Peachwood

*****

Review:

There is so much about these two that I loved. The sibling’s friend trope will get me just about every time and I love a grumpy/sunshine storyline when it’s done well (and Piper Rayne definitely does here).

Twyla is working on getting over her failed engagement and I appreciate that she actually took some time to work through it, instead of just jumping into a new relationship. The time they spend getting to know each other a little better before giving in to their long-standing attraction gives more depth to their story.

He may seem grumpy but Chase has a big heart and is a good guy. He’s private and doesn’t really have a lot of energy to give to playing nice but he’s committed to the people and things he feels are important. And soon Twyla becomes very important to him.

A protective brother, feelings of self-doubt, and some serious communication issues causes trouble between the two but they find a way to a HEA. (Chase’s big gesture may not have been for me but Twyla seemed to like it and Piper Rayne made it work.) The authors really know how to bring on the sizzle, create characters that you can get behind, and deliver just enough angst to keep things interesting. Piper Rayne is turning into a must read for me and I won’t hesitate when I see a new book coming my way.

(Saying that, y’all! Somehow I missed getting my hands on the last book (You Can’t Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks) but I didn’t feel like it affected my enjoyment of this one. I think they can mostly stand on their own but I definitely recommend reading as many as you can 🙂 )

*****

Author Info:

Connect with Piper Rayne

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiperRaynesUnicorns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper-rayne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpiperrayne/_created/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PiperRayne?ref=shop_sugg

Book Review, Kingsmen Football Stars series, Piper Rayne, You Had Your Chance Lee Burrows

Review – You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows

27 Tuesday Dec 2022

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USA Today Bestselling Author, Piper Rayne, begins the Kingsmen Football Stars series with an enemies-to-lovers, second chance story set in the world of professional football.

You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows

Kingsmen Football Stars series

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

Lee f’ing Burrows

The Kingsmen’s star quarterback.

Legendary throwing arm.

Six-pack abs.

Kissable lips.

Oh, but don’t forget, he’s also a lying, heartless egomaniac who broke my heart in college.

It took me years to build myself back up after his deceit, and now I have the dream opportunity to prove myself working as a sports therapist for a professional team.

The hurdle? Or mountain to be more accurate…

The job is with the San Francisco Kingsmen.

Back when I was a naïve college girl, I felt lucky that he even noticed me. Now eight years later, he’d be lucky if I gave him the time of day.

Which I won’t. Not ever.

Some people don’t deserve a second chance and Lee Burrows is one of them.

Now if someone could only tell him that because he’s hell-bent on scoring the winning touchdown and won’t accept that it’s game over for us.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JmQMry

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3yRZIlc

Nook: https://bit.ly/36e1CSF

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3rKKIDl

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3sKRdFv

Audiobook: https://books2read.com/yhyclb
Narrated by Callie Dalton & Joe Arden

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/36ckTDS

*****

Review:

Second chance romances can go either way for me and I feel like Rayne made some good choices here. Shayna definitely has her reasons for holding on to old hurts – Lee did her pretty bad. (I haven’t read the prequel and, while it can be read without it, a good many reviews say that it helps with adding extra dimension to their relationship.) She’s not going to let him keep her from accepting her dream job though, she’ll just have to be strong and ignore him. Which is easier said than done when he’s intent on apologizing for his mistake.

Lee never forgot Shayna so having her walk into his world again is his chance to get her to forgive him … and maybe something more. It soon becomes obvious she’s not going to be won over easily but he’s not giving up. He just has to be patient and prove he deserves a second chance.

The first part of the story is the resolution of their past hurts. It’s handled well and I feel like Lee redeems himself nicely. I’m with Shayna, those kinds of broken hearts take a lot to get over, but his sincerity is easy to feel. So their struggle soon moves from their history to their present circumstances, which forbids any fraternization between Kingsmen players and staff. And we all know how that’s going to go 🙂 I will say that while the intent may have been to show that Lee has embraced his privilege, he instead reads as very naive. He’s the leader of his team, wealthy, and in the public eye. How he didn’t see the way things would go from the beginning, like Shayna told him it would more than once … instead it just has him come across as unworldly and inexperienced. He may feel like his position has power but Shayna knows the truth. So then the question becomes what happens next.

I enjoyed getting to know Lee & Shayna and seeing how they resolve their issues. I also really liked meeting their friends and I’m anxiously waiting to see what Rayne has in store for them. Brady is quite the character and I’m hoping his new nanny can keep him on his toes!

*****

Author Info:

Connect with Piper Rayne

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiperRaynesUnicorns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper-rayne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpiperrayne/_created/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PiperRayne?ref=shop_sugg

Book Review, Greene Family series, My Brother's Forbidden Friend, Piper Rayne

Review – My Brother’s Forbidden Friend

04 Tuesday Oct 2022

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My Brother’s Forbidden Friend

The Greene Family series

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

I’ve gone from crushing on my brother’s best friend to wanting to crush him.

Cameron Baker and I have a few things in common. The first being that we were both born and raised in our small Alaskan town. Second, is that we hide our feelings and keep our hearts closed off from anyone who could break them.

But hiding my feelings is harder to do with Cam than most. When I was five years old, grieving the loss of my mother, he showed me how big his heart is, and I’ve never forgotten.

He comes from the richest family in town. Cam’s bad boy gorgeous, flirts like he has a Doctorate in charm, and he’s my brother’s best friend. That last part is where it gets tricky and the sole reason we’ve never crossed the line.

Now, his parents have cut him off to force him to prove himself. I never thought he’d open a competing business to mine. So, I do what I do best, shove all my feelings aside and ready myself to crush him. Game on.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZZtlmQ

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3AsXyHw

Nook: https://bit.ly/3FwrmXF

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2QRud8y

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2YuFvDJ

Audible: Coming Soon!

*****

Review:

My Brother’s Forbidden Friend reminds us that there’s always more going on than what we can see. Both Cam and Chevelle have things they’ve been hiding, including their feelings for each other. When they suddenly find themselves living in the same house, it doesn’t take long before those secrets start to come out.

Chevelle has had feelings for Cam for years but never thought it could be more. Spending her days with Cam on the docks and evenings alone at home, it doesn’t take long before Chevelle realizes he’s more than the party boy who isn’t into settling down. Once together, they are funny, sassy, sweet, and sexy – definitely one of my favorite couples.

While I haven’t read all of the Greene books, the ones I have read have been great. There’s always a delightful mix of humor, all sorts of feels, and enough spice to keep things interesting. I adored Cam and Chevelle together and didn’t want their story to end.

(Part of a series, can stand on its own but probably is a bit better having read the others as this relationship has been a long time coming.)

*****

Author Info:

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiperRaynesUnicorns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper-rayne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpiperrayne/_created/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PiperRayne?ref=shop_sugg

Book Review, Greene Family series, My Fake Fiancé, Piper Rayne

*****

Review – My Fake Fiancé

23 Tuesday Aug 2022

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My Fake Fiancé

The Greene Family series

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

I never felt truly desired by a man—until him.

My sisters are always the ones who catch a guy’s eye at first sight. I’m used to attracting guys because I’m funny, or kind, or have a beautiful face. Never has my curvy figure drawn the attention of a man as hot as Noah.

But the second he stepped foot into my small town Alaskan inn, his gaze swept over me with desire, igniting a flame I thought was dead. He flirted with me, and I might’ve left two chocolates on his pillow at turndown, but that’s where it stayed.

Over the years, he’s floated in and out of town while a friendship developed between us. Which is probably for the best because I’m not a one-night stand kind of woman.

Which is funny because when he propositions me to be his fake fiancé in order to end a family feud, it turns out I am the kind of woman willing to pretend to be the one he’s in love with.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DnsfQq
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3mvsO3I
Nook: https://bit.ly/3iHUqBw
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3dMOPbg
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3iJrXvn

Audible US: https://adbl.co/3w9le4v
Audible UK: https://adbl.co/3T2hATC
Audible FR: https://bit.ly/3ptATaY
Audible DE: https://adbl.co/3CfmMO4
Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton & Jessica Hazard

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3eazPCO

*****

Review:

Both Noah and Mandi are good people with good hearts, they just find themselves quickly over their heads with their fake but quickly turning real relationship. Their conflict and the struggle with their attraction to each other, only to fall into bed (and love) together even knowing that things are going to end poorly, is charming and heartwarming. You have to be ok with fake relationship stories to really get into this one because there is a lot of lying, hiding, and guilt associated with what they are doing. But it is worth it to see their connection blossom as they slowly work their way to a HEA.

*****

Author Info:

Connect with Piper Rayne

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiperRaynesUnicorns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/piper-rayne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorpiperrayne/_created/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PiperRayne?ref=shop_sugg

Book Review, Greene Family series, My Scorned Best Friend, Piper Rayne

Review – My Scorned Best Friend

12 Tuesday Jul 2022

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My Scorned Best Friend

The Greene Family series

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

Xavier and Clara kissing in a tree…

When your best friend growing up is a girl, that’s the song your classmates taunt you with over and over again. But it was never like that… until now.

It’s always been Clara and me. She’s the only one who truly knows me. After I was drafted into the NFL and ended up the starting quarterback for the San Francisco Kingsmen, I begged her to come with me. But she had her own life and responsibilities back in our small Alaskan town, so I didn’t fault her for staying.

We remained the best of friends despite the distance. I’d hang with her in Alaska during the off season, and she’d visit me in California while I was playing. Then, one night the lines blurred for the briefest of moments and set in motion a series of events that changed everything.

I’m not proud of the decisions I made after that fateful night, and I plan on making amends, because I need Clara back in my life. But not as my best friend—as my everything.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DkifHB

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3Avk7eU

Nook: https://bit.ly/3mGNmXg

Kobo: https://bit.ly/32GNdJD

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2YHe5uf

Audible: Coming Soon!

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3ebuStl

*****

Review:

There was a time or two that I wanted to give Xavier a swift kick (and I imagine as a returning reader that may have been a long time coming). He’s struggling a lot when it comes to love and his relationship with Clara suffered because of it. After too many months of being THAT guy (that oh-so-smackable guy), he’s done not having her in his life. And pretty quickly realizes that he wants more from her, he just has to convince her that she can trust him again.

Clara isn’t going to let him off the hook too easily. He hurt her, horribly, and his actions since haven’t shown him to be worthy of her trust. Or her heart. But with time, she starts to see that maybe she could give him another chance…

I have to say that being new to this series probably did me bad a little. There’s a lot of history to these two that, based on other reviews, played out in earlier books. The romance itself was easy to follow, I got ALL the warm & squishies, and I found it really difficult to put down – I’m guessing, tho, that there is some depth that I missed out on. But as a first book, it was very enjoyable, with delightful characters & an awesome HEA, so I will gladly come back for more.

*****

Author Info:

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiperRaynesUnicorns

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/